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News, of the hour, on the hour, from Catholic Information Radio.
I’m Bryan Douglas in Philadelphia, and at this hour….
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Lead:
Writing on behalf of the USCCB, Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace, praised the current US administration’s response to the Haitian earthquake while calling for long-term anti-poverty aid.

He expressed the group’s gratitude for the response of the U.S. Government to the recent earthquake in Haiti and highlighted Haiti’s long-term needs for recovery. The Conference is recommending the U.S. government adopt a strategy for development that coordinates different U.S. government agencies by engaging other groups with the expertise expertise and experience needed.

This comprehensive approach, in the bishop’s stament, includes the expansion of trade preferences, debt cancellation, and long-term funding for reconstruction and poverty reduction. Quote “dependable international assistance that target all sectors of Haiti’s needs, including infrastructure, health care, education, social support, law enforcement, judiciary, and economic and agricultural development.” Unquote is all part of the bishop’s message.

In a reference to Haiti’s notoriously corrupt political culture-- Haiti was recently ranked one of the world’s most corrupt nations-- Bishop Hubbard added that encouraging local government and institutional transparency and accountability is essential to ensure that funds are used for the benefit of the people and are not diverted for other purposes.
I’ll be back with more after this.

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Story 2:
In the cavernous interior of Christianity's largest church, a tiny black camera perched on a tall tripod was quietly mapping bit by bit almost every detail inside St. Peter's Basilica.

While thousands of tourists streamed through the basilica Wednesday, a special team from Villanova University was cordoned off from the crowds, wrapping up the last day of shooting images for one of several virtual tour projects they have been producing for the Vatican. Two virtual tours are already on the Vatican's Web site: the basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls.

Viewers can choose a specific location and be transported inside one of the basilicas, turn in any direction and zoom in close -- so close that the digital view is clearer and steadier than the one a tourist on the spot would get using high-powered binoculars.

Story 3:
The nun who is overseeing the Vatican-mandated apostolic visitation of U.S. communities of women religious has expressed "sadness and disappointment" over congregations that have resisted completing the questionnaire that is part of the process. In a letter dated Jan. 12 and addressed to women religious, Mother Mary Clare Millea -- who is overseeing the study of 341 congregations as apostolic visitator -- reported on her her visit with Cardinal Rode and her concerns about the response to the questionnaire. She urged those who have not responded to do so.

Story 4:
In a beautifully written, theologically astute, historically significant and warmly pastoral letter written to the faithful of the Traditional Anglican Communion, Archbishop John Hepworth is inviting members to enter into full communion by following the Apostolic Constitution and Norms offered by the Holy See. He writes quote “The Anglican tradition that we treasure will only survive, I believe, across the generations yet to come if it discovers the protection of Peter’s authority.” Unquote. Pope Benedict issued norms for the reception of Anglicans who desire unity in October of last year.

This is Catholic Information News.

Story 5:
Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office,s ays a proposal from the new patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church to plan a meeting with Benedict XVI is "a reason for great joy. He affirmed this today in response to comments from Patriarch Iringe Gav-ril-ovic. The 80-year-old patriarch, elected last Friday, gave his suggested the possibility of organizing an ecumenical event with the Pope in Nis, where Constantine was born. The event would commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan, which ended anti-Christian persecution in the Roman Empire.

Story 6:
Benedict XVI's traditional letter for Lent will be presented next week by a former president of the European Parliament. Hans-Gert Pöttering, now president of a Germany-based research group called the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, will present the Pope's message on Feb. 4 in the Vatican. Pöttering was president of the European Parliament from 2007 till last July.
The theme of the Pope's lenten message is "The Righteousness of God Has Been Manifested Through Faith in Jesus Christ".

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And that’s top news of the hour.
I’m Bryan Douglas, CIR NEWS, for Catholic Information Radio.